Here are 5 athletes we didn’t expect to see in the news in 2023

Sport is often a good way for people to unwind, but sometimes emotions take over, whether for amateurs or professional athletes.

Despite themselves, some have placed themselves in a delicate situation, while others certainly did not expect to find themselves in the spotlight.

Here are five athletes we didn’t expect to see in the news in 2023.

“Keep it, your English!”

In just a few seconds, Marc-Antoine Dequoy became the darling of many francophones following the Montreal Alouettes’ Gray Cup triumph over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The marauder, in an interview on the field after the end of the match, went into a lyrical flight that will remain engraved in memories for several years.

“They never believed in us, ever! You look everywhere and it’s written in English! On TSN, it said Toronto vs. Winnipeg. But you know what? Keep your English! We are going to bring the cup back to Montreal, we are going to bring it back to Quebec, bring it home, because we are f**** champions!” Dequoy declared to the RDS channel.

Without turning around, the 29-year-old athlete was more measured in the interviews he subsequently gave. He notably declared that he “found that there had been a bit of a lack of respect towards the French language” during the week preceding the Gray Cup. Dequoy, however, assured that he had nothing against the English-speaking community and that emotion had gotten the better of him.

The Kings of Controversy

In the middle of November, the residents of Quebec City learned good news, at first glance: the Los Angeles Kings will play two preparatory games, in October 2024, at the Videotron Center against the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers.

However, this news quickly caused controversy, since the Legault government committed to paying a subsidy of $5 to $7 million to bring the City of Angels club to the Old Capital.

The Kings therefore found themselves, despite themselves, right in the middle of the societal debate concerning in particular the strike of public sector employees and the management of public funds by our elected officials.

However, this did not change anything for the Californian team, because it confirmed through its president Luc Robitaille that it was going to be in Quebec next fall.

The surprise choice of CH

While fans of the Montreal Canadiens expected to see Carey Price call Matvei Michkov to the podium at the last National Hockey League (NHL) draft, in Nashville, it was rather David Reinbacher who was the choice of the team with the fifth overall selection.

Many CH supporters were simply stunned by the choice of their formation. Michkov, meanwhile, was selected two levels after the Austrian defenseman by the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Russian is playing rain and shine in the Kontinental League (KHL) with 26 points in 29 games with HK Sochi as of December 8. Reinbacher registered his name on the scoresheet four times (one goal and three assists) in 11 games with HC Kloten in Switzerland.

He’s wasting his season and maybe his career

Traded during the last summer period to the Chicago Blackhawks, Corey Perry did not last long with the Illinois club. After only 16 games played, the former Habs was placed on waivers by the Hawks in order to terminate his contract.

The organization was forced to make this decision, as Perry was allegedly involved in an incident during an event attended by sponsors and team employees on November 21. The next day, the Blackhawks faced the Columbus Blue Jackets and the veteran was left out.

The man who won the Hart Trophy in 2011 apologized through a statement on social media.

“I will do what is necessary to ensure that this never happens again,” he said. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who once believed in me during my career. Once again, I am truly sorry.”

Perry also revealed that he began working with mental health and substance abuse experts to discuss his “alcohol issues.”

Drunk driving his golf cart

Andrew Brunette, who serves as head coach of the Nashville Predators, experienced a mishap in February. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office said Brunette was apprehended for impaired driving with a golf cart. He was pulled over after failing to stop at a stop sign.

The former NHL player was released after posting $500 bail.

That said, the images of his arrest were published online a few months later, and they simply caused a sensation. To try to get out of it, Brunette notably tried to use his notoriety by telling the peacekeepers that he had been the head coach of the Florida Panthers.

At the time of the facts, Brunette held the position of assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils.